OPERATIONS FOR APRIL. 
71 
and better ripened branches ; and it is farther manifest, that these earliest deve- 
lopments often contain the rudiments of the ensuing summer’s flowers, and 
sometimes, likewise, those of the following year. Hence, if they are destroyed, 
the blossoms of one or two years are lost ; besides the enfeeblement caused to the 
entire plant, by reproducing a number of weakly shoots, and the far inferior 
character of these last. 
It can hardly be expected that violent frosts will yet occur to paralyze vegetable 
efforts ; they are, nevertheless, far from being unlikely. But what we seek to 
induce the reader to provide against, is the cold north-easterly winds, whose effects 
are frequently called blight. Their action upon exotic plants, in such a spring as 
the present, would be most disastrous ; and its consequences, instead of being 
comparatively transient, like those on the more common components of our shrub- 
beries, would be seen and felt for several years. Indeed, a very tender plant 
could scarcely ever recover its natural vigour. We recommend, then, that for the 
dwarfer kinds, dried fern-leaves and straw, and for the taller sorts, mats or other 
coverings, be kept in readiness to apply whenever such or similarly cold winds 
may prevail; and we are certain the eulturist will have good reason to congratulate 
himself on his foresight. 
In the more refined departments of culture, a considerable knowledge of 
physiological principles is necessary, to manage plants properly during the present 
month. All that have not been potted should be attended to as fast as they exhibit 
a tendency to grow ; and those which do not require shifting into a larger pot, 
should, notwithstanding, have their roots and the soil about them inspected ; for 
exposure to the numerous changes of a whole year almost inevitably leaves the soil 
in a condition unfavourable to the future healthy advancement of the specimen. 
Compactness and imperviousness to water, separation from the sides of the pot, 
obstruction of the drainage by particles of earth passing down amongst its 
materials, with other equally undesirable circumstances, may each, or all, need 
remedying, although the plant should not want a regular repotting. 
For the summer treatment of certain dwarf and slow-growing Cactacese, we 
have before strongly advised that fermenting materials be placed beneath them, 
and a powerful and very moist heat maintained. Where adopted, this system 
should be brought into operation without delay. From the somewhat similar 
habits of Orchidaceae, and from what experience has taught respecting them, we 
now confidently think that the same method is applicable to them. The only 
qualification which such a proposition demands, is that, as there are many species 
which have not hitherto adapted themselves to the principal variations of our 
climate, and make their new shoots at what, in Europe, is considered an unnatural 
period, these cannot, of course, be subjected to so generalizing a plan. In the 
house appropriated to the majority of the more naturalized species, a high temper- 
ature, constant atmospheric moisture — and both these augmented, where convenient, 
by plunging the pots in fermenting bark— with a sufficient shading of thin canvas 
